Container adapter for refuse compactor

ABSTRACT

A container adapter for use with commercial refuse compactors which eliminates the need for costly custom designed refuse cartons and permits reuse of relatively small boxes or containers acquired in the normal course of business from suppliers or the like as refuse containers in the compactor. The adapter is an open top, open front unit which can be operatively positioned within the compaction chamber of a conventional compactor with little or no modification of the latter being required, and comprises a horizontal seat having upstanding sidewalls connected thereto with inwardly extending hold-down lip structures thereon; the seat, sidewalls and lip structures cooperatively define a compartment for the refuse container which is configured to preclude significant vertical or horizontal movements thereof during compaction. In preferred forms, the lip structures are vertically adjustable to accomodate containers of varying height, and a pivotally mounted, leaf-type forward access platform is provided for facilitating removal of filled containers from the adapter.

United States Patent [191 Jackson et al.

l l (:ONTAINER ADAPTER FOR REFUSE COMPACTOR [75] Inventors: Ira J. Jackson, Overland Park; Thomas F. OConnor, Fairway; James H. Buckley, Overland Park, all of Kans.

[73] Assignee: Trans-World Compacters, lnc.,

Overland Park, Kans.

22 Filed: Apr. 25, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 463,878

[52] US. Cl 100/218; 53/124 B; 100/229 A [51] Int. Cl B30b 15/32 [58] Field of Search 100/218, 229 A; 53/124 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,424,078 1/1969 Boyd et al 100/218 3807299 4/1974 Engebretsen 100/229 A Primary Examiner-Harry N. Haroian Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Schmidt, Johnson, Hovey & Williams June 17, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT A container adapter for use with commercial refuse compactors which eliminates the need for costly custom designed refuse cartons and permits reuse of relatively small boxes or containers acquired in the normal course of business from suppliers or the like as refuse containers in the compactor. The adapter is an open top, open front unit which can be operatively positioned within the compaction chamber of a conventional compactor with little or no modification of the latter being required, and comprises a horizontal seat having upstanding sidewalls connected thereto with inwardly extending hold-down lip structures thereon; the seat, sidewalls and lip structures cooperatively define a compartment for the refuse container which is configured to preclude significant vertical or horizontal movements thereof during compaction. In preferred forms, the lip structures are vertically adjustable to accomodate containers of varying height, and a pivotally mounted, leaf-type forward access platform is provided for facilitating removal of filled containers from the adapter.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures CONTAINER ADAPTER FOR REFUSE COMPACTOR This invention relates to container adapters for commercial refuse compactors which permits reuse of relatively small boxes or cartons obtained in the normal course of business as refuse containers in the compactor. More particularly, it is concerned with such adapters which include generally horizontal seat portions for supporting the boxes within the compaction chamber of the compactor, with upstanding sidewalls connected to the seat and having vertically spaced, inwardly extending hold-down lip structures thereon for defining a container compartment within the adapter. In particularly preferred forms, the adapter includes a pivotally mounted, leaf-type access platform for facilitating removal of filled containers from the adapter, and vertically adjustable lip structures in order to accomodate the containers of varying heights therein.

Many small businesses which have a large volume of refuse (such as fast food outlets or the like) are increasingly utilizing commercial-scale compactors to efficiently handle the refuse problem. Compactors of this type generally comprise a large, enclosed, upright compaction chamber having a hingedly mounted forward door for permitting access thereto, and a reciprocable platen which is selectively extensible for compacting refuse. The compaction chamber is adapted to receive relatively large custom built boxes of reinforced corrugated paper, and a pivotal chute is normally provided in the forward door to facilitate disposal of refuse. In operation, refuse to be discarded is deposited in the container therefor within the compaction chamber until the container is full. At this point the platen is lowered to compact the refuse within the container and provide additional space for further loading of the container. This process is repeated until the container is completely filled with compacted refuse, whereupon the container is removed from the compaction chamber, stapled and carried away.

However, a number of problems have arisen in connection with the use of such compaction units. Most importantly, there has recently been a tremendous increase in the price of corrugated paper materials, and accordingly the cost of custom designed refuse boxes heretofore utilized with commercial scale compactors has likewise risen dramatically. As can be appreciated, many businesses often use several of these boxes every day, which can amount to a significant cost to the small merchant. Moreover, problems associated with reordering, handling and storage of these boxes can become burdensome and thus detract from the overall feasibility of the compaction unit. Finally, corrugated paper presents a significant ecology problem in that the material is bulky and difficult to handle and dispose of and is not biodegradable.

The problems alluded to above are accentuated by virtue of the fact that many businesses regularly receive corrugated paper boxes of various sizes in the normal course of business, and these boxes must also be disposed of along with other forms of solid refuse. In many cases these boxes are of high quality and could be utilized as compaction containers if they were correctly sized for use in commercial scale compactors. For example. franchised fast food outlets which specialize in fried chicken receive uncooked birds in relatively large containers composed of waxed corrugated paper material. Heretofore the disposal of such boxes has presented a considerable problem in itself, aside from the fact that these boxes are of a quality to permit reuse as a compactor container. Thus, such fried chicken outlets have been put in the anomalous position of paying increasingly high costs for custom designed compactor containers, while at the same time discarding a large number of high quality boxes which could be reused for this purpose if they were of the correct size.

Therefore, there is a need for an adapter for use with conventional commercial scale compactors which permits use of smaller boxes or containers normally obtained in the course of business in order to eliminate the need of purchasing costly custom designed compactor cartons. Preferably, the adapter should be easily and quickly removable and installable with little or no modification of the compactor being required.

It is therefore the primary object of the present inventin to provide a removable container adapter for conventional refuse compactors which permits use of relatively small containers in the compactor, eliminates the need of specially designed boxes therefor, and is easily installable with little or no modification of the compactor unit itself.

A further object of the invention is to provide a'container adapter of the type described including a generally horizontal seat for supporting the relatively small containers, with upstanding sidewall portions connected to the seat and inwardly extending lip structures proximal to the upper most end of the sidewalls. The seats, sidewalls and lip structure'cooperatively define a compartment within the adapter for the reception of small refuse containers, and prevents crushing or pickup thereof by the reciprocable compactor platen during operation of the compactor.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a refuse compactor having a seat and generally C-shaped, open top and open front wall structure to facilitate placement and removal of refuse containers therein, and wherein the hold-down lip structure on the sidewalls is vertically adjustable to accomodate containers of varying height.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a container adapter having an integral, generally C-shaped lower wall portion connected about the periphery of the container supporting seat, with a vertically adjustable upper wall portion of complemental C-shaped configuration attached to the lower wall portion. The

upper wall portion is provided with inwardly extending lip structures along the sidewall segments thereof for hold-down of the refuse container. A pivotally mounted, leaf-type forward access platform is also advantageously utilized as an adjunct to the adapter for facilitating removal of filled containers from the adapter.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a commercial scale refuse compactor having a container adapter in accordance with the present invention operatively mounted within the compaction chamber thereof;

F IG. 2 is a fragmentary view in vertical section illustrating in detail the refuse compactor and adapter therefor depicted in FIG. 1, the latter being shown with the accessory platform thereof in its upright, generally horizontal work position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, rear elevational view of the container adapter shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

adapter.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG.

1 a commercial scale refuse compactor broadly designated by the numeral 10. Compactor is an upright unit including sheet metal sidewalls l2 and 14, backwall 16, top wall 17 and bottom wall 19. The front of compactor 10 is enclosed by a hingedly mounted door 18 having releasable locking mechanism 20. A pivotally mounted, selectively openable refuse chute 22 having inwardly extending, spaced marginal sidewalls 23 is provided in the upper part of door 18 in order to permit disposal of refuse without opening the latter. Sidewalls l2 and 14, along with backwall 16, top wall 17, bottom wall 19 and door 18 cooperatively define an enclosed compaction chamber 24 within compactor 10.

A reciprocable platen 26 is provided adjacent the top of compaction chamber 19 and is selectively movable in order to compact refuse therewithin. Upright housing 28 positioned atop top wall 19 and encloses conventional drive mechanism for platen 26 in order to push the latter downwardly as desired. External actuation controls 30 are provided on housing 28 for selectively operating platen 26.

In the conventional use of compactor 10, a specially designed refuse box is positioned within chamber 24. Such a box (not shown) is generaelly of a height extending from bottom wall 19 to a point proximal to pivotal connection of chute 22. In this fashion chute 22 i can be opened outwardly to permit disposal of refuse into the standard compactor container in the normal course of business until the container is filled on a volume basis, whereupon platen 26 is lowered to compact the refuse in the usual manner. A pair of flexibly spaced removal straps 30 are attached at the uppermost end of backwall 16 and are interconnected at the outermost end thereof by transverse pull bar 32. The straps 30 are adapted to be interposed between the container within chamber 24 and backwall 16 and bottom wall 19 thereof. When the container is completely filled with compacted refuse, pull bar 32 can be grasped and pulled outwardly to slide the container out of chamber 24 to thereby facilitate removal of the container which can weigh well over 100 pounds when full. The container can thereafter be stapled closed and disposed of in the normal manner.

A container adapter generally referred to by the numeral 34 is shown in FIG. 1 operatively installed within compactor 10. Adapter 34 includes a generally horizontal seat 36 having an integral, upright, generally transversely C-shaped lower wall portion 38 connected thereto. Wall portion 38 is arranged to generally parallel sidewalls 12 and 14 and backwall 16 as depicted. A vertically adjustable upper wall portion 40 of complemental integral, transversely C-shaped configuration is also provided which at the uppermost end thereof defines the top of adapter 34.

The upper extremity of each of the sidewall segments of upper wall portion 40 includes an inwardly. extend-.-

and lip structures 42. In this regard it has been found advantageous to dimension the container compartment in order to preclude significant horizontal and vertical movement of refuse containers placed therein. For this purpose inwardly extending lip structures 42 on the respective sidewall sections of upper wall portion 40 are adapted to overlay the marginal side edges of the refuse container received within adapter 34. Lip structures 42 thus prevent crushing of the sidewalls of the containers, while also precluding the possibility that the container could be lifted with platen 26 during retraction thereof. The latter problem is significant by virtue of the fact that the smaller containers utilized with adapter 34 are generally lighter in weight and hold less than the custom designed refuse boxes heretofore employed with compactor 10. Accordingly, the lighter containers can oftentimes be picked up or otherwise displaced by the action of platen 26, which necessitates the provision of hold-down structure such as lip 42.

The forwardmost portions of the lip structures 42 are cut away as at 46 in order to permit closure of door 18 with chute 22 thereof in its upright closed position having sidewall segment 23 extending into chamber 24.

Integral upper wall portion 40 is provided with a se ries of spaced, vertically arranged adjustment slots 48, while lower wall portion 38 includes a plurality of transverse bolt means 50 extending therethrough in position to be received in the respective adjustment slots 48. Thus, adapter 34 can accomodate containers of varying heights by the simple expedient of loosening the separate bolt means 50 and adjusting the height of upper wall portion 40 as necessary. When properly adjusted, the respective bolt means 50 can again be tightened to define a container compartment of the appropriate size within adapter 34.

A series of spaced, plate-like depending supports 52 are attached to the underside of seat 36 for the purpose of supporting the latter within chamber 24. A pair of transverse rod-like braces 54 extend between the spaced supports 52 and interconnect the same in order to rigidify adapter 34 and provide a secure support for the containers received therein.

In preferred forms, adapter 34 includes a swingable leaftype access platform 56 mounted proximal to the forward transverse marginal edge of seat 36. Platform 56 provides a planar surface for facilitating removal of filled boxes from adapter 34 and includes an integral, transversely extending mounting rod 58 along the rearmost transverse edge thereof which is received within complemental recesses in the outermost supports 52. Mounting rod 58 extends laterally beyond the edges of platform 56 and is received within the described recesses and held therein by means of annular retainers 60. In this manner platform 56 is pivotal about an axis defined by mounting rod 58 between a depending storage position as illustrated in FIG. 1, and a generally horizontal work position depicted in FIG. 2.

A pair of spaced mounting flanges 62 are attached to the underside of platform 56 and have an elongated rod 64 interconnected therebetween. A pair of spaced, identical tie rods 66 are pivotally connected to rod 64 adjacent the outermost ends thereof, and are provided with notches 68 adjacent the innermost ends thereof. As is best shown in FIG. 2, when access platform 56 is swung upwardly to its horizontal work position, the notches 68 in the respective tie rods 66 are positioned over forward transverse brace 54 in order to provide support for the platform. When it is desired to lower platform 56, tie rods 66 are simply lifted out of engagement with forward brace 54, whereupon the platform can be swung to its depending position of FIG. 1. in this regard the intermediate supports 52 are recessed as at 70 in order to receive connecting rod 64 when platform 56 is in its depending position. Finally, a finger hole 72 is provided in platform 56 in order to facilitate movement of the same between the horizontal and vertical positions thereof.

An elongated, threaded, rearwardly extending bolt 74 is attached to the underside of seat 36 at the rear thereof for removably mounting adapter 34 within compactor 10. The latter is simply bored at a position on backwall 16 to permit bolt 72 to extend therethrough, whereupon wing nut 76 can be utilized to releasably position adapter 34 within chamber 24 of compactor 10. Similarly, an apertured, generally L-shaped bracket 78 is attached adjacent the bottom of one of the supports 52 in order to permit a second mounting bolt and wing nut assembly 80 to be utilized to secure adapter 34 to the bottom wall 19 of compactor 10.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that adapter 34 can readily be installed in a conventional refuse compactor without the need for extensive modification thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, even the same pull out straps 30 provided for use with custom designed containers can be utilized with adapter 34 for sliding filled containers therewithin outwardly onto platform 56 when the latter is in its horizontal work position.

Most importantly however, adapter 34 permits reuse of smaller boxes or other containers normally acquired in the regular course of business and which heretofore have in themselves presented a significant waste disposal problem. Moreover, by virtue of the easy installation and removal of the present adapter, these boxes can be utilized when on hand to good advantage as containers for compacted refuse, and when necessary the user can easily reconvert the compactor by removing adapter 34 therefrom, and employ custom designed containers in the normal manner.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A container adapter for use with a refuse compactor of the type having a compaction chamber for enclosing a relatively large refuse container, and a reciprocable platen operable to compact refuse deposited in said container, said adapter permitting use of a smaller refuse container with said compactor and comprising:

a generally horizontal seat of dimensions permitting positioning thereof within said chamber, said seat being adapted to support said smaller refuse container thereon within said chamber; and

spaced upright sidewalls connected to said scat. each of said sidewalls having inwardly extending lip structure thereon for cooperatively defining with said seat and sidewalls a compartment for said smaller refuse container.

said compartment being of dimensions precluding significant horizontal and vertical movement of said smaller refuse container when the latter is positioned therewithin.

2. The container adapter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lip structures are vertically adjustable to accomodate smaller refuse containers of varying heights.

3. The container adapter as set forth in claim 1, wherein an upright backwall interconnects said spaced sidewalls.

4. The container adapted asset forth in claim 3, wherein said spaced sidewalls comprise lower upright portions connected to said seat with a lower backwall portion interconnecting said sidewall portions, there being an integral, complemental, generally transversely C-shaped, vertically adjustable upper wall portion adjustably secured to said interconnected lower sidewall and backwall portions and defining the uppermost edge of said adapter, said lip structures being integral with said upper wall portion.

5. The container adapter as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included base structure for supporting said seat within said housing.

6. The container adapter as set forth in claim 5, wherein said base structure comprises a plurality of spaced, depending platelike supports connected to the underside of said seat.

7. The container adapter as set forth in claim 5, wherein is included a pivotally mounted, plate-like accessory platform attached proximal to the forward transverse marginal edge of said seat and movable between a depending, generally vertical storage position and a generally horizontal, forwardly extending work position.

8. In combination with a refuse compactor of the type having a compaction chamber for enclosing a relatively large refuse container and a reciprocable platen operable to compact refuse deposited in said container, an adapter permitting use of a smaller refuse container within said chamber and comprising:

a generally horizontal seat positioned within said chamber and adapted to support said smaller refuse container thereon;

structure supporting said seat within said housing;

spaced upright sidewalls connected to said seat, each of said sidewalls having inwardly extending lip structure thereon for cooperatively defining with said seat and sidewalls a compartment for said smaller refuse container,

said compartment being of dimensions precluding significant horizontal and vertical movement of said smaller refuse container when the latter is positioned therewithin;

means for removing said smaller refuse container from said compartment therefor; and

means releasably mounting said adapter within said housing.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein said removing means comprises a pair of spaced pull-out straps adapted to be interposed between said seat and smaller refuse container when the latter is positioned within said compartment therefor. 

1. A container adapter for use with a refuse compactor of the type having a compaction chamber for enclosing a relatively large refuse container, and a reciprocable platen operable to compact refuse deposited in said container, said adapter permitting use of a smaller refuse container with said compactor and comprising: a generally horizontal seat of dimensions permitting positioning thereof within said chamber, said seat being adapted to support said smaller refuse container thereon within said chamber; and spaced upright sidewalls connected to said seat, each of said sidewalls having inwardly extending lip structure thereon for cooperatively defining with said seat and sidewalls a compartment for said smaller refuse container, said compartment being of dimensions precluding significant horizontal and vertical movement of said smaller refuse container when the latter is positioned therewithin.
 2. The container adapter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lip structures are vertically adjustable to accomodate smaller refuse containers of varying heights.
 3. The container adapter as set forth in claim 1, wherein an upright backwall interconnects said spaced sidewalls.
 4. The container adapted asset forth in claim 3, wherein said spaced sidewalls comprise lower upright portions connected to said seat with a lower backwall portion interconnecting said sidewall portions, there being an integral, complemental, generally transversely C-shaped, vertically adjustable upper wall portion adjustably secured to said interconnected lower sidewall and backwall portions and defining the uppermost edge of said adapter, said lip structures being integral with said upper wall portion.
 5. The container adapter as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included base structure for supporting said seat within said housing.
 6. The container adapter as set forth in claim 5, wherein said base structure comprises a plurality of spaced, depending platelike supports connected to the underside of said seat.
 7. The container adapter as set forth in claim 5, wherein is included a pivotally mounted, plate-like accessory platform attached proximal to the forward transverse marginal edge of said seat and movable between a depending, generally vertical storage position And a generally horizontal, forwardly extending work position.
 8. In combination with a refuse compactor of the type having a compaction chamber for enclosing a relatively large refuse container and a reciprocable platen operable to compact refuse deposited in said container, an adapter permitting use of a smaller refuse container within said chamber and comprising: a generally horizontal seat positioned within said chamber and adapted to support said smaller refuse container thereon; structure supporting said seat within said housing; spaced upright sidewalls connected to said seat, each of said sidewalls having inwardly extending lip structure thereon for cooperatively defining with said seat and sidewalls a compartment for said smaller refuse container, said compartment being of dimensions precluding significant horizontal and vertical movement of said smaller refuse container when the latter is positioned therewithin; means for removing said smaller refuse container from said compartment therefor; and means releasably mounting said adapter within said housing.
 9. The combination of claim 8, wherein said removing means comprises a pair of spaced pull-out straps adapted to be interposed between said seat and smaller refuse container when the latter is positioned within said compartment therefor. 